Ivone Sells Florida

Ivone Sells Florida Helping Buyers make the most of their search and Sellers get top dollar for their property.

Florida's luxury market didn't just hold steady in July — it surged. 🌊Million-dollar home sales climbed sharply across t...
08/29/2026

Florida's luxury market didn't just hold steady in July — it surged. 🌊

Million-dollar home sales climbed sharply across the state: condo & townhouse sales up 31% year over year, single-family up 27%.

Here's what stands out to me: this isn't a one-corner-of-the-state story. It's happening from the coastlines to the canals, including right here in Sarasota & Southwest Florida.

If you're buying: don't wait on prices to soften. Affluent buyers are far less rate-sensitive — cash purchases, bigger down payments, and equity from other properties are keeping this segment moving even as rates weigh on the rest of the market.

If you're selling: this is a strong window. Well-positioned waterfront and luxury listings are attracting real, motivated buyers right now — and it's not just the $1M+ tier. The $500K–$1M condo and townhouse segment was up 24% too.

My take: the luxury market rewards clients who move on real data, not guesswork.

Thinking about buying or selling waterfront property in Sarasota or SW Florida? Send me a DM — let's talk about what this shift means for your move.

Source: Florida Realtors, July 2026 housing market report.

Thinking about selling your home? 🏡✨ You don’t always need a major renovation to make a stronger impression on buyers.A ...
08/28/2026

Thinking about selling your home? 🏡✨ You don’t always need a major renovation to make a stronger impression on buyers.

A few strategic updates can help your home feel fresher, more inviting, and more market-ready:

🎨 Fresh paint — A clean, neutral refresh can make rooms feel brighter and move-in ready.
🌿 Fresh landscaping — Curb appeal matters. Buyers start forming an opinion before they ever walk through the front door.
🚿 Bathroom touch-ups — Updated fixtures, lighting, hardware, or a shower door can give the space a more current feel.
❄️ HVAC upgrades — A well-maintained or newer system can be a meaningful selling point, especially here in Florida.
🍽️ Kitchen updates — The kitchen is still one of the most important rooms for many buyers, but improvements don’t necessarily have to mean a complete remodel.

The key is knowing which improvements are worth making before you sell—and which ones probably won’t give you the return you’re hoping for.

If you’re thinking about selling in Sarasota or Manatee County, I’d be happy to walk through your home with you and help identify the updates that could make the biggest difference in today’s market.

📩 Send me a message before you start renovating. Sometimes the smartest upgrade is knowing what not to spend money on.

🏡 Big wins for Florida housing in 2026!Florida’s latest legislative session brought several important developments aimed...
08/27/2026

🏡 Big wins for Florida housing in 2026!

Florida’s latest legislative session brought several important developments aimed at supporting homeowners, buyers, communities and the real estate market statewide.

Among the highlights:

💰 $50 million for Florida’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program
🏠 $236.5 million for state and local housing programs, including down payment and closing-cost assistance and affordable rental housing
🔑 Stronger protections for private property owners against fraudulent information being used to occupy rental properties
📋 Greater transparency through a new tax estimator disclosure
🌊 $1.2 billion toward water quality and natural resource restoration
🌀 $405 million in unused funds redirected to help Floridians strengthen homes and condominiums against storms and potentially reduce insurance premiums
🛡️ Continued support for Florida’s real estate regulatory and consumer-protection system

These aren't just legislative headlines—they can have a real impact on homeownership, affordability, property protection and the future of Florida communities.

If you're thinking about buying, selling or relocating in Sarasota or Manatee County, staying informed about changes like these is an important part of making smart real estate decisions.

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾🐶They claim the best seat on the sofa, somehow take up 90% of the bed, leave a little fur on pr...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾🐶

They claim the best seat on the sofa, somehow take up 90% of the bed, leave a little fur on practically everything…and still manage to make a house feel more like home. ❤️

Like me, for many homebuyers, the wish list isn't just about bedrooms, kitchens and square footage. Sometimes it includes a fenced yard, room to roam, nearby walking trails, easy-to-clean floors—or simply the perfect sunny spot for an afternoon nap. That's how I picked my first home. It was more for the dogs than for me and what a lovely backyard it had for my two Flat-Coats to roam and enjoy. ☀️🐕

Let's be honest: sometimes the dog is the one making the final decision. 😂

If you're house hunting around Sarasota, Manatee or Venice and your four-legged decision-maker has a few requirements of their own, I'm always happy to help you explore your options. 🏡🐾

Happy National Dog Day to all of our faithful companions who make home just a little happier. These photos highlight some of the many wonderful dogs I've crossed paths with along the way.

08/25/2026

Verifying fees with the HOA is done early in the process to ensure a smooth transaction. There are progressive steps for everything in a transaction.

08/24/2026

There are numerous forms that any transaction can call for and knowing which ones to use and employ are all part of the job. Oftentimes, this part of our job isn't taken into account by buyers. I don't just show houses. I ensure you are reasonably protected with prevailing real estate contracts and addendums.

📊 July 2026 Sarasota & Manatee Real Estate Market UpdateThe latest numbers are showing another shift in our local housin...
08/23/2026

📊 July 2026 Sarasota & Manatee Real Estate Market Update

The latest numbers are showing another shift in our local housing market: sales are strengthening, inventory is tightening, and buyers and sellers appear to be getting closer on expectations.

According to the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee, closed sales increased across all four major market segments in July, while available inventory declined across both counties and property types. That combination is creating more competition for properties that are priced and positioned well.

You can review the single family home numbers and see what's happening but the really interesting segment is Condos and Townhomes.

This is where things get especially interesting. Sarasota County recorded 318 sales, up 33.1% year-over-year, with a median price of $340,000. Manatee County recorded 238 sales, up 18.4%, with a median price of $313,950. Inventory also declined in both markets.

So, is this suddenly a seller's market again? Not exactly. Buyers are still selective, particularly in the condo market. But sellers are receiving a greater percentage of their original asking prices, single-family homes are moving to contract faster, and declining inventory is beginning to change the negotiating environment.

The biggest takeaway? There really isn't one Sarasota-Manatee "market." Conditions can look very different depending on the neighborhood, property type and price point.

For buyers, that means understanding where you still have negotiating leverage.

For sellers, it means pricing correctly from the beginning matters more than ever.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in Sarasota or Manatee County, I'd be happy to take a closer look at the numbers for your specific neighborhood or price range. Local data tells a much better story than the headlines alone.

🏡 CAN YOU AFFORD THE HOME…OR CAN YOU AFFORD TO LIVE THERE?There’s a difference.When buyers calculate what they can affor...
08/22/2026

🏡 CAN YOU AFFORD THE HOME…OR CAN YOU AFFORD TO LIVE THERE?

There’s a difference.

When buyers calculate what they can afford, the mortgage payment usually gets most of the attention. But your purchase price is only part of what determines your real cost of living after you move.

Before choosing a home—or relocating to a new area—take a closer look at:

💰 Taxes — Property, sales and state taxes can change the equation.
🚗 Transportation — Your commute, gas, insurance, parking and even the need for an additional vehicle can add up.
⚡ Utilities — Electricity, water and other household expenses can vary from one location and property to another.
🛡️ Insurance — Especially here in Florida, this deserves attention *before* making a final decision on a property.
🛒 Everyday expenses — Groceries, dining, entertainment and services all contribute to what it actually costs to maintain your lifestyle.

One of the smartest things a buyer can do is look beyond “What will my mortgage payment be?” and ask:

“What will my life cost once I live here?”

That’s especially important if you're relocating to Florida. 🌴It's certainly something I looked at before moving to Florida from New Jersey.

If you're considering a move to Sarasota or Manatee County, I can help you evaluate more than the house itself. Location, taxes, HOA/CDD fees, insurance considerations and other property-specific expenses can all be part of the conversation.

📌 SAVE this post if a move is in your future.
📤 SHARE it with someone thinking about relocating to Florida.
💬 Have questions about buying in Sarasota or Manatee County? Send me a message.

08/21/2026

It is always important to identify the HOA manager in order to be able to ask the necessary questions buyers often have before purchasing a home within a community. This is just another of the many things that goes into how real estate agents help their clients. All too often the behind the scenes work is under-appreciated and unnoticed by customers.

🏡 **Thinking about buying a home? Don't start with Zillow. Start with a plan.**A successful home search begins  before y...
08/20/2026

🏡 **Thinking about buying a home? Don't start with Zillow. Start with a plan.**

A successful home search begins before you walk through the first front door.

Start by reviewing your finances and establishing a comfortable monthly budget. Then talk with a qualified mortgage professional so you understand your financing options and what you're realistically prepared to purchase.

And once the house hunting begins? Look beyond the beautiful kitchen and perfect lanai. 👀

Inspections, surveys, property condition and potential repairs all matter when you're deciding whether a home is truly right for you.

There may also be resources worth exploring, including down-payment assistance, low-down-payment financing options and first-time homebuyer programs.

Most importantly, don't let ❤️ make every decision for 💰.

The goal isn't simply to buy a house. It's to purchase a home that makes sense for your lifestyle and your long-term financial goals.

📌 SAVE this post if homeownership is somewhere in your future.

And if you're considering buying in Sarasota, Manatee or the surrounding Gulf Coast area, send me a DM. I'm happy to help you understand the process and start putting together a game plan—before we ever schedule the first showing.

*This information is for general educational purposes. Financing programs, qualification requirements and availability vary. Consult appropriate mortgage, financial and other qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.*

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